Heinous crimes reignite debate over capital punishment
President Lee Myung-bak on Monday vowed to strengthen measures to curb sex crimes, including an increased use of chemical castration, in the wake of the brutal rape of a 7-year-old girl.
In his biweekly radio address, Lee said that his government will seek to allocate more funds for public security, increase police numbers in high-risk areas, and intensify efforts to curb the spread of illegal obscene materials on the Internet.
His remarks came as public angst has deepened following a spate of heinous crimes including the most recent case in which an elementary school girl was raped by a 23-year-old man in Naju, South Jeolla Province last week.
“Protecting lives and public security is the fundamental reason for a nation to exist. In this respect, as president, I feel deeply devastated and regretful,” Lee said.
“The effectiveness of electronic anklets will be bolstered. However, if this measure does not suffice, it will be necessary to take into consideration all possible measures including chemical castration.”
Pointing out that sex offenders are “highly likely” to repeat crimes, he pledged to carry out a thorough investigation of their present condition and improve access to offenders’ personal information.
Citing easy access to and the spread of obscene materials and harmful information on the Internet and through smartphones as one factor, he also vowed to step up efforts to limit their negative influence.
“Insofar as it does not compromise the right to freedom of expression, it is necessary to beef up pertinent laws and systems to punish such perpetrators more severely,” he said.
Later in the day, Kim Ki-yong, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, announced a comprehensive package of anti-sex crime measures, which were confirmed after a meeting with top provincial police officials.
The police authorities have decided to carry out a one-month intensive crackdown on sex crimes until Oct. 3. A special division dedicated to preventing sex crimes will be set up at each police station across the country, officials said.
The NPA will also establish a special team in charge of investigating the production, distribution and possession of child pornography.
Last week, police revived the practice of stopping and questioning suspicious individuals on the streets, a measure suspended two years ago amid controversy over its possibility of violating human rights.
Its revival has rekindled the same dispute with activists, who argue that police abruptly asking citizens to show their identification cards and belongings could seriously undermine their human rights.
The recent string of violent crimes against minors has also prompted calls for the revival of capital punishment.
A senior Cheong Wa Dae official remained cautious about the calls, stressing that it is a matter that requires a “broader social consensus.”
“We are not at a stage where we will consider reviving the capital punishment. But we are carefully watching how people in our society think about this,” said the official, declining to be named.
“The implementation of the death penalty is not a matter the government unilaterally pushes for. This is something that calls for social agreement as to whether the punishment is effective in deterring the crimes.”
Amnesty International, an international human rights group, has classified Korea as “abolitionist in practice” because the country has not executed anyone in more than a decade since 1997. Korea has yet to officially ban capital punishment. The number of death row inmates is around 60.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
